Team Nagi Newsletter - July 2025

Hi Guys,

Hope you’ve all had a great June.

Isn’t it amazing how, in the UK, we can go from being too cold most of the time to blinking hot in the space of a week? There’s just something about 30+ degrees in London that feels extra uncomfortable. One thing’s for sure—training intensity takes a hit in this kind of heat, and so does your sleep. The last few nights have been rough, to say the least, and when sleep suffers, you need to adapt your training intensity. Adjust accordingly or risk digging yourself into a deeper hole of fatigue.

I thought Jan Frodeno captured the heat conundrum perfectly in one of his recent blog posts. I shared this with many of you already, but if you missed it, it’s well worth a read. What many don’t realise is that Jan was one of the best athletes when it came to racing in extreme heat—especially at the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii, which he won three times. It’s actually quite refreshing for us mere mortals to read that even the best of the best struggle in hot conditions. But it also shows how much your body can adapt over time if you take a sensible approach and ease into it gradually.

Training in Summer Heat: The Panic is Real Read it here

Moaning about the British weather aside, June was a big month for me personally. I ticked a box I never thought I’d be able to tick again: I did my first triathlon since 2008. For those who know my story, this was a huge moment. After a long-term illness, I had pretty much given up on the idea of ever making it to a start line again. To say it was emotional would be an understatement. The journey has been long and incredibly difficult—but also filled with moments of pure magic. This was one of them.

And it wasn’t just any race—it was probably the hardest half Ironman I’ve ever done. Racing in Wales takes no prisoners, and when the run rivals the difficulty of the bike leg through Welsh hills, you know you’re in for a tough day. The sea temperature was a bone-chilling 12°C. I’d originally planned to do just the swim and bike, given I’d been dealing with an achilles issue. I figured there was no way I could manage the 15–20% gradients on the run. But I decided to try one lap of the four-lap course… and somehow, The Triathlon Gods were smiling on me. I ran the whole thing—and felt surprisingly good doing it. That is, until cramp hit with about a mile to go, stopping me dead in my tracks for 3–4 minutes (and costing me a couple of places). Turns out running up the 15–20% hills was easier than running down them on tired legs!

It’s funny where inspiration comes from. A few of my athletes unknowingly gave me the nudge I needed:

Andrew Reardon, who bravely chose to return to this same race two years after calling it the hardest he’d ever done. He knew it would set the tone for his season—and it did, as he went on to have one of his best years ever. You can’t help but admire someone who takes the harder option.
Toby Dean, who, despite battling a run injury, still toed the line at a recent Team GB qualifier and smashed the swim and bike with a brilliant performance.
And last but not least, Andy Rogerson, the Scottish legend who put in one of the gutsiest efforts I’ve ever seen at Celtman, one of the toughest Ironmans in the world. His story—racing while sick, hitting a rock that destroyed his wheel, finishing on a borrowed bike—was nothing short of epic. After hearing what he went through, I figured the least I could do was show up and race.

It just goes to show how much your actions can inspire others—even your coach! Big thank you to all of you who helped me get over that first big hurdle. Hopefully, there’s plenty more to come.

Team Nagi Training Camp Lanzarote 2026

If anyone is interested I currently have 2 slots remaining for my training camp at Club La Santa, Lanzarote in 2026. The dates are Sat March 21st – Sun 29th March. Accommodation cost is £1648 for 8 nights. This doesn’t include flights. My coaching fee is £700 per person. If this interests you and are look to take your performance to the next level then I’d love to hear from you. Ideally need to know by the end of this week if you are a maybe. I can then give you further details. £100 deposit is all that is required for now, the balancing payment is then made 12 weeks prior to travel. With my coaching fee made payable roundabout camp time.

Race results

The Celtman (3.4km swim/ 200km bike/ 42km run)

Andy Rogerson
Total Time: 12:07:35

What can I say about this absolute Scottish legend taking on one of the world’s toughest Ironman’s while battling a full-blown virus?! A week before the race, Andy was in peak form—then followed two weddings in three days, and by the end of the second, he’d picked up a nasty bug. Race morning dawned with green “nasties” from chest and nose, and if I’m being honest I expected him to pull the plug…yet Andy being Andy he was prepared to put himself on the start line. What then ensued was one of the toughest mental tests of his life where up until over 100km he battled the urge to pull out. But then, with about 17 km to T2, disaster struck again. I’ll let Andy tell you about this one:

“I was riding on the edge of the road because the tarmac was smoother there, and I hit a massive rock which splintered my carbon wheel. I borrowed a phone from a supporter and called Dany, then ran about 500 m to the next village where I bumped into some people from my swim squad who were supporting! I borrowed a small woman’s bike, changed into my flat trainers and pedalled it the rest of the way to T2 with my knees sticking out like a clown :). With pee stops and this calamity, I was stationary for about 20 min on the bike leg.”

Somehow, he still finished this epic adventure in the mountains of Scotland. Showing true grit and an unbreakable spirit, laying the mental and physical groundwork for his ultimate goal: Kona qualification later this year.

Philippines 70.3

Vicki Hill
Splits: swim 36:13/ bike 3:04:21 / run 1:52:01
Total Time: 5:42:31
1st in the 50-54 category / 6th female overall

That’s 5 wins from 5 starts this season, adding the brutally tough and humid Philippines 70.3 to Vickster’s growing list of victories. Racing in challenging conditions, she showed her trademark grit and consistency to claim the top spot once again. It’s been an impressive run of form—and she just keeps delivering when it counts.

Charlmonderly castle (Half Ironman distance)

Nick Betteridge
Splits: swim 34:30 / bike 2:34:13 / run 1:46:35
Total Time: 5:00:11
1st in the 40-49 category / 6th male overall

What a season opener from Nick to take his first age group win of the season and finish 6th male overall. All done on incredibly challenging course that included a puncture fix on the bike! No better way to kick off a season like this so well done Nick, we know there is still plenty more to come.

The Wales Triathlon (Half Ironman distance)

Andrew Reardon
Splits: swim 36:52/ bike 2:35:08 / run 1:41:06
Total Time: 4:58:24
4th in the 45-49 category

Coach
Splits: swim 32:15/ bike 2:58:47 / run 1:56:02
Total Time: 5:33:50
7th in the 50-54 category

A pretty special moment for me—my first triathlon since 2008—and what a course to make a return! Even better, I got to share the experience with one of my athletes, Andrew Reardon, who absolutely smashed it with a new 17min PB on this course. The original plan was just to swim and bike (thanks to a grumpy achilles), but I decided to give one lap of the run a go… and somehow ended up doing the whole thing.

And this wasn’t just any race. This was, hands down, the hardest half Ironman course I’ve ever done. A 12°C swim that felt more like an ice bath, nearly 1000m of climbing on the bike, and then a run course with 3 brutal 15–20% gradients—repeated four times! But the views? Worth every step. I managed to run all the hills, took fastest age group swim, and 3rd overall male in the swim.

Huge respect to Andrew too—he came back to this course two years after calling it the toughest race he’s ever done, and put in a phenomenal performance to finish 4th in a very strong field. That kind of grit and growth is what it’s all about. A great day out and a brilliant way to kick off the season. I will be back for more of that that’s for sure.

Bolton 70.3

Hollie Strawson
Splits: swim 32:23 / bike 2:48:16 / run 1:36:43
Total Time: 5:06:18
4th in the 30-34 category

Getting closer every time to that podium spot. No longer the young gun in the 25-29 category swim squader Hollie is now competing in the ‘Lionesses Den’, also known as the 30-34 category. She more than stepped up to show her class with a 4th place finish and a superb PB run. Roth is coming up next!

Elsinore 70.3 (Denmark)

Peter Hicks
Splits: swim 33:26 / bike 2:34:51 / run 1:50:48
Total Time: 5:10:22
25-29 category

So good to see another young gun bounce back with a fantastic new PB over this distance. He also managed to bag a new bike and run PB too. After a disappointing race at Mallorca 70.3 this was just the shot in the arm Peter needed to show where he is really at. I’ve no doubt he will build on this as the season progresses.

Blenheim Sprint Triathlon (National Champs)

Tony Jarvis
Splits: swim 11:57 / bike 34:33 / run 23:23
Total Time: 1:16:13
11th in the 45-49 category

TJ was back in action at the National Tri Champs at Blenheim Palace this month, diving straight into the deep end of a seriously stacked field. He managed to bag 11th place, no small feat when you’re lining up against the country’s finest. With some solid, consistent training under his belt he’s showing great form this season. Great to see him back mixing it up and racing strong!

Blenheim Sprint Triathlon

Matt Berrill
Splits: swim 15:15 / bike 36:10 / run 23:14
Total Time: 1:21:56
7th / 190 in the 25-29 category

Team Nagi’s latest recruit, Matt Berrill, made a cracking start to life under the whistle—taking on his very first sprint triathlon and managing a strong 7th place finish! Not bad for a debut over the distance. With his sights set on Weymouth 70.3 later this year, this was a great early marker and a sign of some real potential.

Otillo Uto – Swim-run (Sweden)

Simon Evans
Splits: 27k of “running” (this was almost entirely up and down rocks and single track trail) and 5k swimming
Total Time: 6:30:00

Never a dull moment when it comes to swim-run events and this one more than lived up to the hype. The race took place on the Island of Uto, a few miles outside Stockholm and I think the photos say it all. Great work Si and team for putting in a great performance and enjoying every minute of it.

The Studland swim-run

Jo Turner
Total Time: 1:30:06
3rd female overall

Terrific to see Jo Turner back in action, taking on the Studland Swim-Run. She came away with a brilliant result—1:30:06 and 3rd female overall! A great effort and a well-earned spot on the podium—strong, steady, and smiling all the way!

The Oxon 50mile bike time trial

Coach
Total Time: 2:24:08

Coach kicked off his season with his first ever 50-mile bike time trial—and what a way to start! It was a proper baptism of fire with freezing early morning temps and a lumpy, leg-sapping course. But despite the cold hands and burning quads, I loved every minute of it. These races are brilliant teachers when it comes to pacing, kit choices… and the importance of not underestimating “slightly undulating” routes that have a bit of wind. Let’s just say a few valuable lessons were learned the hard way!

What I’ve been watching this month…

Project Iceman

What an extraordinary documentary, just thinking about it again gives me the chills. The film charts the journey Anders Hofman, the first person to ever attempt a full distance Ironman triathlon in Antarctica. Yes you read that correctly, you have to see it to believe it because he doesn’t cut any corners with it. How he managed to swim 3.8km in water that was 0.9 degrees (even in a wetsuit) and then bike 112 miles on the Antarctic ice shelf is beyond me. Truly one of the most miraculous fetes of endurance I have ever seen. Just be sure to watch it under a warm blanket with a cup of hot chocolate or even a brandy.

Power Moves with Shaquille O’Neal

If you love Basketball, you’ll love Shaq, if you don’t know anything about basketball, you’ll still love Shaq! Truly one of the world’s biggest sporting stars in his heyday with 4 NBA Championship wins. He also has an incredible personality to match his size and ability. This hilarious, light hearted documentary charts Shaq’s goal of re-establishing Reebok as one of the foremost basketball shoe brands in the world.